Field Hockey Stumbles At Keene State, 3-2

KEENE, NH-The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's field hockey team fell to host Keene State, 3-2, in a Little East Conference match at the Owl Sports Complex on Saturday.

The Owls struck first when senior forward Elizabeth Coffin (Sugar Hill, NH/St. Johnsbury Academy) scored her first of two goals in the seventh minute of play, off a penalty corner attempt by senior midfielder Alyce Ferenc (Rumney, NH/Plymouth Regional HS). Less than five minutes later, Coffin added her second goal, gathering a long pass from sophomore defender Katlyn Simula (Bridgewater, NH/Newfound Regional HS), staking KSC to a 2-0 advantage.

UMD junior defender Taryn Cardiel (Moorpark, CA/Moorpark HS) cut the Corsair deficit to 2-1 when she scored off a penalty corner attempt by junior forward Eleanor Taylor (Fairhaven, MA/Bishop Stang HS) with 12:33 to play in the first half. The Owls answered back in under 20 seconds when Coffin delivered a cross pass to junior forward Kalin Billert (Center Conway, NH/Kennett HS), who beat UMD sophomore goalie Kelsey Gallo (East Greenwich, RI/East Greenwich HS), giving Keene State a 3-1 lead. With 5:53 to play, the Corsairs pulled to within one goal, when sophomore defender Victoria Dolce (Jamestown, RI/North Kingstown HS) scored, off a pass from freshman defender Chelsey Campbell (Barre, MA/Quabbin Regional HS). The Corsairs were unable to score again in the final minutes, leading to the 3-2 loss for UMD.

"It took us deep into the second half to get some momentum," said UMass Dartmouth Head Coach Nicole Castonguay. "Keene is a very good team, they are fast, quick, and decisive, and, unfortunately, we fell behind them. We're disappointed, we have to come back and give ourselves the opportunity to get better before the playoffs."

The Corsairs dropped to 9-7 and 8-2 in the Little East Conference with the loss, while the Owls improved to 14-4 and 10-0 in LEC action with the victory. UMass Dartmouth will return to action when they host Wellesley Tuesday evening.